Attacks on Islamic school and mosques

Some 'heros' have bombed an Islamic school in Eindhoven. The bomb went off at 3.30 in the morning. Also, arsonists have tried to set mosques in Breda, Rotterdam and Huizen ablaze.

No 'buts': there is no excuse for cowardly acts like these. I am ashamed some people apparently feel the need to combat barbarism with barbarism. If people want 'to do something', let them join or found a political party (I did the former this weekend) or organize a demonstration. That's the way you exercise power in a civilized country. If we start taking bombs to the streets, what will distinguish us from the butchers that slit throats? After this is all over, and it will be one day, I'd like there to be a bit left of the civilization and the ideals we claim to be defending.

And can I also give the 'Double Standards Award' to Mayor Alexander Sakkers of Eindhoven? He immediately concluded this was a deliberate attack on Muslims. I agree this has been a likely possibility from the start, however, it's a good habit amongst authorities to forego speculation and suspend judgment until the facts are reasonably clear. The authorities did so when Van Gogh was murdered, to the point that for a long time it wasn't known the murderer was wearing a traditional Islamic garb. Sakkers has been all over the airwaves condemning the attack as an 'act of 'terrorism' by an 'idiot'. That's the kind of reassuring, sensible language we need from our authorities in these times, Mayor!

Update 9.27: Sakkers just gave a press conference. Now the perpetrators (apparently, he feels sure there's more than one) are 'a couple of idiots'. Sakkers, please go home, have a drink and sleep for a few hours, because this way, you're doing nobody any good.

9:10

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